The Patience That Leads to Contentment

The title for this post came as Jerry and I waited for the nurse to bring his discharge papers late last Monday afternoon.

He was admitted as an outpatient early Wednesday morning and discharged as an inpatient late Monday afternoon.

Wednesday, we waited two hours before they took him to have a stent inserted in an aneurysm in his right leg.

After the procedure, we waited while they applied pressure to stop the bleeding where a sheaf was used to insert the stent. He had to stay overnight to be sure there would be no more bleeding.

Thursday, we waited for the results of an ultrasound that showed the artery had not sealed and for the news that Jerry would need major surgery to seal the artery.

Then we waited for the results of an EKG and ultrasound of his heart to determine if he could endure the surgery.

Friday, we waited for the outcome of the surgery.

Saturday and Sunday, we stayed while a wound vac was used to suction drainage from the four-inch incision.

Monday we waited until the vascular surgeon removed the wound vac.

Now at home, we both wait for Jerry’s healing and our strength to return, so that we may continue to serve Him.

We have indeed experienced many blessings everyday, as the Lord continues to show us His mercy and grace. It is in these difficult times that He continues to grow us in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before I began this post early this morning, my thoughts were centered in how to describe the true Christian life. The words, faithful,obedient, and steadfast, were a few that came to mind. Patience is not always the first that we think of, but if we look to the last book of God’s Word, in Revelation 13:10 and 14:12 (KJV) these both speak of “the patience of the saints.” The English Standard Version translates patience as endurance.

“If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.”

When I think of waiting in the circumstances of this life, it in no way compares to the terms of “taken captive” or “slain with the sword.”

In Revelation 14:12-13 we find again the word endurance related to faithfulness and faith of the saints in Jesus.

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

It is amazing what the Lord does during our times of adversity. Waiting is linked to patiently enduring whatever He has planned for us, working all things for our good, as He has predestined us to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29) even as He is faithful to us in all that He is and does.

Three main thoughts came during those six days in the hospital (this is our third visit since it opened three years ago):
God, our Father, is always faithful, even when we are not. He promises to complete the work He has begun in us.
Blessings are hidden in the places we would rather avoid.
We mature when we endure.

Contentment was the only sense that I experienced as we waited for Jerry’s discharge papers Monday afternoon, the fruit of the Lord’s working in my heart during those six days.

Dear Father, we thank you for continuing to fill us with your grace, wrapped in your glory, so that you will not fail to bring us through this life in Christ, even as you are preparing us for your eternal glory. We praise you that you never fail, able always to hold us, strengthen, and grow us as your children. Fill us with your Spirit today and through us, witness to others of your goodness. In Jesus’ name we thank you and praise you. Amen.

Prayers for Jerry’s speedy recovery. Prayers for you also as you endure this. So often we don’t acknowledge the spouses in situations like this. When you love someone in marriage, you become one person and when one suffers the other suffers too.
God bless you both through this trial.

Kathy, thank you. Your comment is a blessing. You are obviously experienced too in the oneness of marriage. Except for the surgeries and the pain, it seems that everything that has happened to Jerry has happened to me. We both have grown, especially during the last ten years since his amputation. That experience taught us things that have carried over to this time. Each time we grow closer to the Lord and to each other. The Lord’s blessings be upon you and your husband and family. Thank you for your prayers. ~ Fran

You are such an inspiration, Frances, enduring what you do with patience and grace. It is so true that blessings are hidden in places we’d rather avoid. I just finished reading “The Shack,” and got so much out of the fact that we are not to judge what circumstances are “good” and what circumstances are “bad.” When we do, we try to avoid the bad,and end up missing those blessings you are talking about.Thank you for sharing your journey. Jerry is in my prayers.

I like that – “We mature as we endure.” So very true! We, like you, have found that by experience. There is a little book i read several years ago, somewhat humorous, entitled “You’re late again, Lord!” Thanks again for your transparency!